Fwd: Project PM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 26, 2010 at 9:38 PM
Subject: Re: Project PM
To: palmershel@netscape.net

Matt-

Thanks for getting in touch. I've long been a curmudgeon myself, except that I started being curmudgeonly as a teenager and actually became less so in my old age (I am 28), so I certainly sympathize with your viewpoint.

You sound as if you'd be an asset to our organization. We have a number of methods by which we hope to prompt fundamental reform, and we'd like to have as many skeptics on board as possible, both in our media/blogger network and the governing network that will be in charge of many of our sub-projects.

My associate Clark Robinson will get in touch with you presently to talk about the specific ways in which you may be able to assist. Feel free to get in touch with me via phone or e-mail if you have any questions about Project PM; a more concise and comprehensive manifesto will be appearing soon.

On Wed, May 26, 2010 at 12:02 AM, <palmershel@netscape.net> wrote:

Hello, Mr.Brown. My name is Matt. I am e-mailing to you from southeast Michigan, near Ann Arbor. I have just recently become acquainted with your writing on the CSICOP/Skeptical Inquirer, and the link to, what is it, True/Slant? Well, anyway, I really like your writing and your healthy skepticism. Count me among those who are intrigued and interested, keen and enthusiastic about this Project PM which you have outlined. You have stated in your articles about this that you want ethical, honest, intelligent participants for this Project PM. If it is not too conceited, I am quite certain that I am all of those things. I must admit however, that I am not very astute on the computer; I peruse the Skeptical Inquirer and what I believe to be other reliable sources of information and news analysis on the internet, but I am hardly at all attuned to the various trends and trinkets that occupy the minds of our fellow citizens. I am, in short, a curmudgeon. Not for the sake of it; it's just that there is so much in this culture to criticize. It can be very difficult to conduct ones life with dignity in a digressive, superstitious, christian fundamentalist country such as ours. (There I go, curmudgeoning and bludgeoning.) Well, that's where I stand. Sorry, I hope I do not digress, but if I do, I hope it is clever, insightful and good-humoured. I liked your video wherein you explain why you will not bother with "social conservatives". I agree, there is no point in trying that. If conservatives want to join...well, that would not be possible anyway, would it? Because if a self-proclaimed conservative were to accept and abide by the secular, skeptical, reasoned method that is required, they would no longer be conservative by definition, would they? (Well, that was easy, I sorted that one out.) I saw Prodigy live once. It was early in 1993 I think. In Cleveland. They were good, but I did not like the venue. Oh yeah, perhaps I sell myself a bit short. I do have access to computer and internet. So, if I am welcome I would like to be considered for inclusion in this Project PM. Let us change the world for the better, if it's not too ambitious or cheeky. Sincerely, Matt Palmer. P.S. If you are ever down my way, let's have a beer and talk.

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Regards,

Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302